Report Overview

An increasing adoption of devices and rising surge due to the pandemic are projected to propel the expansion of the India Online Gaming Market during the forecast period between 2023 and 2029.

India Online Gaming Market - Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2029

India online gaming market size was estimated at USD 1.0899 billion in 2022. During the forecast period between 2023 and 2029, the size of India online gaming market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.34% reaching a value of USD 2.31 billion by 2029. Major growth drivers for the India online gaming market include an increasing internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and a young and tech-savvy population. Online gaming platforms, including mobile games, PC games, and console games, witnessed rising user engagement and revenues. Esports also emerged as a thriving segment, with India becoming a competitive player on the global esports stage. Also, the gaming industry in India has witnessed a significant shift with a growing focus on game development. The Prime Minister's vision for a "Digital India" inspired developers and innovators to lead in the online gaming sector. The Central Government has taken continuous measures to align online gaming with this objective, establishing the Inter-Ministerial Task Force (IMTF) to recommend national-level legislation for regulation. The gaming sector has been hailed as the "next sunrise industry" due to its expanding user base and increasing female audience. Affordable mobile data in India has fueled internet usage, making gaming the fastest-growing industry. Notably, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted businesses to switch from desktop to laptop computing, with service-oriented and public sector organizations leading this transition.

India Online Gaming Market – Overview

India online gaming market refers to the sector within India's entertainment and gaming industry that involves the online distribution and consumption of various interactive games and related content. It encompasses a wide range of gaming formats, including mobile games, PC games, console games, and online multiplayer games. India is expected to be among the leading markets for the gaming industry, mainly due to its sizable youth population. The country's market growth is driven by the increasing use of smartphones and high-speed internet, which has facilitated the growth of its IT infrastructure. Also, WEB3, an advanced version of the internet integrating decentralization, VR, AR, and the metaverse, has gained popularity in the gaming sector. According to an industry estimate, approximately 30% of India's 450 WEB3 businesses are engaged in gaming, with investments of around USD 400 million in Web3 games in recent years. This indicates the rapid development and immense potential of the gaming industry in India.

India Online Gaming Market

Growth Drivers

Mobile Gaming's Soaring Influence on Thriving India Smart Devices Market

Renowned publishers Activision Blizzard and Electronic Arts, along with mobile-focused companies like Tencent, Sea, and Perfect World, are increasingly focusing on mobile gaming due to its expanding market and lucrative opportunities. India has emerged as the primary consumer of mobile games, surpassing China, with a market nearly 2.5 times larger than China and three times larger than the United States. The country witnessed a staggering 15 billion game downloads in the previous year, accounting for the most considerable percentage of global game downloads (17%). The rise of 5G networks in India also contributes to the growth of mobile-based cloud gaming and augmented reality games, driving the popularity of mobile esports. Additionally, Samsung's plan to move smartphone manufacturing to India further bolsters the country's growing device market.

Restraints

Increasing Cases of Addiction

India online gaming market growth faces a significant restraint in the form of increasing cases of addiction among players. As the popularity of online gaming rises, there is a growing concern about excessive and compulsive gaming behavior leading to addiction. This issue affects individuals, particularly the younger population, impacting their physical and mental well-being, social interactions, and academic or professional performance. The rise in addiction cases has raised awareness among regulators, policymakers, and parents, leading to calls for responsible gaming practices and the implementation of measures to curb addictive behavior. Addressing addiction is crucial for sustaining the long-term growth and sustainability of the India online gaming market.

Impact of COVID-19 on India Online Gaming Market

COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the India online gaming market. With lockdowns and movement restrictions in place, people turned to online entertainment, including gaming, for leisure and social interaction. This led to a surge in the number of active players and an increase in gaming revenues. Online gaming platforms witnessed higher user engagement and longer session times during the pandemic. Additionally, the closure of physical entertainment venues and the cancellation of live events drove the demand for virtual gaming experiences. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of online gaming as a preferred form of entertainment, transforming the industry and opening new opportunities for growth and innovation.

India Online Gaming Market

Segmental Coverage

India Online Gaming Market – By Device

By device, the India online gaming market is divided into Mobile/ Tablet, Console, and PC/ Laptop segments. The mobile/tablet segment holds the highest share in the India online gaming market during the forecast period. The widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets, driven by their availability and affordability, has made mobile gaming accessible to a larger audience. Additionally, the convenience and portability offered by mobile devices have attracted users who prefer gaming on the go. The increasing internet penetration in the country has further facilitated online gaming on mobile devices. Moreover, the diverse offerings of mobile games, including casual, multiplayer, and esports, cater to different preferences and demographics, appealing to a wide range of users. Social features integrated into mobile games encourage interaction with friends and foster a sense of community, adding to the segment's popularity. These combined factors have propelled the mobile/tablet segment to the forefront of the India online gaming market.

India Online Gaming Market – By Game Category & Genre

Based on game category & genre, the India online gaming market is divided into Casual, Real Money Games, and Online Fantasy Sports segments.

India Online Gaming Market – By Monetization Model

Based on monetization model, the India online gaming market is divided into Subscription, Ad revenue, In-app purchases, and Commission segments. The in-app purchases segment holds the highest share in the India online gaming market based on the monetization model. In-app purchases refer to the revenue generated from the sale of virtual items, power-ups, skins, and other in-game content that players can purchase within the game. The ad revenue segment holds the second highest share in the India online gaming market based on the monetization model. Ad revenue refers to the income generated from displaying advertisements to players during gameplay or in between game sessions.

India Online Gaming Market – By Gamer Skill

On the basis of gamer skill, the India online gaming market is segmented as Casual, Mid-core, Hardcore, and Professional segments. The casual segment holds the highest share in the India online gaming market based on gamer skill. Casual gaming refers to games that are easy to play, require minimal time commitment, and are accessible to a broad audience. These games are often played for leisure and entertainment, appealing to both casual and occasional gamers. Meanwhile, the mid-core segment holds the second highest share in the India online gaming market based on gamer skill. Mid-core gaming refers to games that require a moderate level of skill and commitment from players, falling between casual and hardcore gaming. These games often offer more complex gameplay mechanics and deeper levels of engagement, appealing to a dedicated and competitive player base.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in the India online gaming market include Dream11, Mobile Premier League (MPL), Games24x7, Gametion, Games2win, Octro, Moonfrog, Reliance games, Gameberry, Blacklight Gaming, JetSynthesys, Nazara Technologies. To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Recent Developments

• In January 2023 - During their Crafting the Tension Art Developer Livestream, Electronic Arts (EA) announced that Dead Space will be released at the start of the coming year for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The classic sci-fi survival horror game, Dead Space, is undergoing a complete reconstruction utilizing the advanced Frostbite game engine.

Scope of the Report

By Device

• Mobile/ Tablet

• Console

• PC/ Laptop

By Game Category & Genre

• Casual

• Real Money Games (RMG)

• Online Fantasy Sports (OFS)

By Monetization Model

• Subscription

• Ad Revenue

• In-app Purchases

• Commission

By Gamer Skill

• Casual

• Mid-core

• Hardcore

• Professional